Pinion Yoke Nut Removal Help
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Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 309
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From: Wrightstown, NJ
Year: 1986 Comanche
Engine: Chevy 350
I'm not new to this by any means, just seeing if anyone has a trick to remove the yoke nut. I have tried soaking it with WD40, air tools, and a 4 foot breaker bar and it's not moving. I've even tried whacking the breaker bar with a hammer and tried hitting the side of the yoke to see if it will break lose to no avail. Right now it is soaking again while I take a break for lunch. Any tips or tricks are appreciated.
I have an impact gun that can barely get lug nut off, but I grabbed the yoke and threw that on there and it had no trouble.
Is it spinning or is it just frozen on there? If it's frozen, only option is PB or heat, unless you are going to torch it off
Is it spinning or is it just frozen on there? If it's frozen, only option is PB or heat, unless you are going to torch it off
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 309
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From: Wrightstown, NJ
Year: 1986 Comanche
Engine: Chevy 350
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 6,328
Likes: 1
From: SLC, UT
Year: 1989 2 door
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
If tour gonna use heat you as little a possible to break it loose you don't wanna weaken the pinion, into to mention your bearing! Are you doing a gear swap or just replacing the seal?
CF Veteran
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 1,626
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From: Maryville Tennessee
Year: 1995
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 L
Breaker bar and use a floor jack on the other end of the bar to use to pry up instead of your back it will bust loose.But an impact shoulda done it. I have had to do this on siezed axle nuts.might be worth a try
i use a big pipe wrench to hold the yoke and use an impact. pb blaster is always good. i use the pipe wrench and a breaker bar with a cheater pipe on it to tighten it up too.
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CF Veteran
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 7,874
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From: Northern Ontario, Canada
Year: 1990, 1999, 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
that's why i like electric impacts, air just gets weaker when the air pressure drops, while electric gets stronger the longer you hold the trigger.
i have a 7.5 amp 1/2 inch drive impact that only cost me 60 bux on sale, and it is good for about 280 lb/ft of torque. nothing yet has stopped this thing. pinion nuts, pitman arm nuts, axle nuts.... you name it.
i have a 7.5 amp 1/2 inch drive impact that only cost me 60 bux on sale, and it is good for about 280 lb/ft of torque. nothing yet has stopped this thing. pinion nuts, pitman arm nuts, axle nuts.... you name it.
Senior Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 563
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From: Lima Ohio
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
sometimes the nut it struck to put a kink in the nut to help hold it on. but there might not be. if you use heat i would recommend using map gas torch because you wont get enough heat to do any damage but enough to break it loose.
Originally Posted by Skunkape
Breaker bar and use a floor jack on the other end of the bar to use to pry up instead of your back it will bust loose.But an impact shoulda done it. I have had to do this on siezed axle nuts.might be worth a try
Like everyone else has said if you use heat be careful, you don't want to warp that housing
Thread Starter
Seasoned Member
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 309
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From: Wrightstown, NJ
Year: 1986 Comanche
Engine: Chevy 350
Yea, forgot to mention that I'm swapping gears. Tried the whole floor jack thing and still wouldn't budge. Went searching and found an air hammer and go figure, that knocked the nut off in no time. Now just to find a new nut. 
Thanks for all the input.

Thanks for all the input.
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Joined: May 2010
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From: meriden Ct
Year: 2000
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0
what I do when I cant egt them off is put a breaker bar on it and wedge it up against something on the chassis, then put it in gear and drive it. I let the pinion turn while the chassis holds the nut with the breaker bar. much easier than fighting with it. just make sure you have your rotation correct
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From: parker, co
Year: 1996
Model: Cherokee
Engine: 4.0 HO
I just had to replace my pinion seal about a month ago and was pretty much forced to buy an electric impact wrench for the nut. After soaking it with PB blaster it came right off. Also, an impact wrench is an excellent investment as are most tools.
If you're looking at getting an air impact wrench go ahead and spend a few extra $$ and get a good one. My ingersol rand titanium is rated at 1000 ft/lb in reverse. I've had it for about 5 years with no problems at all. I think I gave about 250 for it at sears.
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